Highlights - ENVI vote on interinstitutional negotiations to prevent plastic pellet losses - Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety

On 16 January, ENVI Members voted on whether to start interinstitutional negotiations on new rules to prevent plastic pellet losses and reduce microplastic pollution.

ENVI will vote on opening interinstitutional negotiations for a regulation to prevent plastic pellet losses. The proposal seeks to address microplastic pollution by requiring operators handling plastic pellets to prevent spills, contain losses, and clean up promptly. Large enterprises must implement risk assessment plans two years after the regulation enters into force, with longer timelines for medium and small enterprises. The plans should detail pellet volumes and polymer types on-site. MEPs advocated for mandatory labelling on containers, studies on chemical traceability, incident loss-tracking forms, and enterprise training on spill prevention and cleanup. Parliament had adopted its position in April 2024, and the Council its General Approach in December. Following the approval of the decision, trilogues are to begin in late January.